49,314 / 68.7% Yes votes ...... 22,482 / 31.3% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Meaning of Voting Yes/No

A YES vote of this measure means:

A "yes" vote on this measure would authorize Sequoia Union High School District to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed seventy million dollars ($70 million) to modernize, improve and expand classrooms and facilities at Carlmont, Menlo-Atherton, Sequoia and Woodside high schools as specified on the Bond Project list.

A NO vote of this measure means:

A "no" vote would prevent Sequoia Union High School District from issuing bonds.

This measure would authorize the Sequoia Union High School District to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed seventy million dollars ($70 million). The bonds will have an interest rate not exceeding the legal maximum and will mature in no more than 32 years.

The Board of Trustees has listed the specified purposes of the bonds to be the modernization, improvement and expansion of classrooms and facilities at Carlmont, Menlo-Atherton, Sequoia and Woodside high schools as specified on the Bond Project list.

The measure requires the Sequoia Union High School District to take certain steps to account for the proceeds from the sale of the bonds as set forth in Article XIIIA, Section 1(b)(3) of the California Constitution and Education Code sections 15264 et seq. The District Board must appoint a citizens' oversight committee and conduct annual independent performance and financial audits to assure that funds are spent only on school and classroom improvements as specified in the measure and for no other purposes.

A "yes" vote on this measure would authorize Sequoia Union High School District to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed seventy million dollars ($70 million) to modernize, improve and expand classrooms and facilities at Carlmont, Menlo-Atherton, Sequoia and Woodside high schools as specified on the Bond Project list.

A "no" vote would prevent Sequoia Union High School District from issuing bonds.

This measure passes if 55% of those voting on the measure vote "yes."

Our students are benefiting from new classrooms, libraries, gyms, computer and science labs. Each school has renovated aging classrooms, upgraded and replaced old heating, electrical and plumbing systems, and fixed leaking and deteriorating roofs.

Carlmont, Menlo-Atherton, Sequoia, and Woodside high schools have improved, but more remains to be done.

Measure H will raise the funds needed to complete this job. Yet, Measure H will not raise property tax rates.

How will this work? Property owners currently pay $24 per $100,000 of assessed valuation for voter-approved school bonds. This tax rate decreases each year.

With Measure H, the tax rate will stay the same for ten years. With Measure H, our schools will raise $70 million for additional construction.

Taxpayers will not receive larger tax bills.

Measure H funds will:

_ Build new classrooms to avoid overcrowding (due to growing student enrollment);

_ Complete the upgrading of water, gas, sewer, electrical, communications and safety systems;

_ Build music and drama classrooms and theaters for use by students and the community;

_ Install energy-saving solar power; and

_ Update the computer and network systems serving all schools.

For more details, visit http://www.AboutMeasureH.com. An Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee will continue to monitor construction projects to guarantee that funds are well spent.

Join us in voting Yes on Measure H. It's an investment in our local high schools--for our students today, for our community, and for future generations.

/s/ Frank M. Bartaldo, Sr. August 3, 2004 President & CEO Bay Area Bank

/s/ Donald M. Eaton August 4, 2004 Councilman City of San Carlos

/s/ Don Horsley August 3, 2004 Sheriff San Mateo County

/s/ Rosa G. Perez August 8, 2004 President, Caņada College

/s/ Denise Shackleton August 5, 2004 Chair, Carlmont High School Academic Foundation

o Measure H says nothing about fixing tax rates for 10 years, nor could it, legally.

o The District lacks authority over tax rates--and that's a good thing. (State law directs county supervisors to set rates each year sufficient for interest and sinking fund principal payments.)

o Increasing the debt load from $133 million to $203 million would increase payments--and the taxes to support them--by approximately 53%.

You can't finance a $70 million bond using only broken promises and shell games.

Taxpayers will receive larger tax bills.

o When funding bonds, tax rates go down only to the extent tax assessments go up.

o The proponents' unstated assumption is that assessments will increase by more than 53% in the next 7 years. Potentially, that scenario could mean a tax rate equal to today's, but that's a red herring. Tax payments financing bonds on the average bill would necessarily be 53% larger than today, to finance the additional debt.

Untrustworthy

Like crooked mechanics, proponents sold the public on a $45 million overhaul--then upped the tab by $88 million half way into the project. Now they are they adding solar powered undercoating, and jacking the tab another $70 million.

And they tell us it won't cost us any more money, thanks to special financing arrangements not in the written measure. Hmmm...
--By now, even the most gullible voter should question their integrity.

Steer clear!

/s/ Christopher V.A. Schmidt August 19, 2004 Secretary, Libertarian Party of San Mateo County

/s/ Margret Buckley Schmidt August 20, 2004 Parent

/s/ John J. "Jack" Hickey August 19, 2004 Chair, Libertarian Party of San Mateo County

/s/ Dan Cronin August 19, 2004 College Student

/s/ Brian Holtz August 19, 2004 Candidate for Congress

We all want public schools to be adequately funded--and they are! Locally, school district revenue doubled in a decade--growing from $37 million to $73 million, annually! (That's $9800 per student, or $280,000 per classroom of 28 students.)

The average teacher takes home between $70,000 and $80,000 in salary and benefits (not bad for 187 work days), leaving approximately $200,000 in recurring revenue per classroom for overhead, maintenance, and improvements each year!

Did the District need to borrow money too? No!

Irresponsibility

The District's history of borrowing shows a total lack of thrift. In 1996 they passed a $45 million bond, to "modernize and upgrade" the schools. Five years later they were back, asking for an additional $88 million "to complete the renovation and modernization" of the schools. They said this time the projects would be completed, because a "citizens' oversight committee", appointed by the very same trustees, would keep them on good behavior.

But here they are AGAIN, asking for another $70 million in public debt, plus matching millions from a state government awash in red ink. That would make a local total of $203 million in debt, plus more than $250 million in interest, for us and our children to pay off. That's $62,000 per student, or $1.7 million per classroom of 28.

To homeowners (and renters, indirectly), that's (roughly) $2,800 per household in surtaxes, over and above regular property taxes, which supply most of the generous annual budget mentioned at top. Put on the Brakes!

This bond is a gravy train for contractors, and it has picked up way too much momentum. Vote `no', and demand that trustees work within their regular budget. Thank you.

/s/ Christopher V.A. Schmidt August 13, 2004 Secretary, Libertarian Party of San Mateo County

/s/ Margret Buckley Schmidt August 13, 2004 Parent

Measure H will address specific needs at each of our local high schools. Your tax bill, however, will stay the same when it passes. Without Measure H, your tax bill would decline slightly each year. Measure H will keep the tax rate constant at $24 per $100,000 of assessed value. The cost of Measure H will average $5.64 per year (per $100,000 of assessed valuation). That small difference will fund the completion of much needed improvements at our local high schools.

The School District has done an excellent job managing bond funds. _ An Independent Citizens Oversight Committee has determined that all of the funds voters approved in the past have been properly spent. _ An outside Professional Construction Audit commended the District for its proficiency and capability - exercising `best practices' to make sure taxpayer dollars were spent efficiently.

Measure H is an investment in schools with a proven track record. Our students are succeeding. Test scores and graduation rates are up. Enrollment is increasing. With Measure H more classrooms can be built to avoid overcrowding. Renovations can be completed, and school facilities improved.

Join us in voting Yes on Measure H.

/s/ Ronald F. Crates August 17, 2004 Superintendent, Redwood City School District

/s/ Jeffrey Ira August 17, 2004 Mayor, City of Redwood City

/s/ Forbes King August 17, 2004 Citizen of the Year, City of San Carlos

/s/ George Metropulos August 17, 2004 Mayor, City of Belmont

/s/ Vincent Truscelli August 9, 2004 Senior Affairs Commissioner, City of Redwood City

1. The best estimate of the tax which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue during the first fiscal year after the sale of the first series of bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is fourtenths of one cent per $100 ($4.09 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2005-06.

2. The best estimate of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue during the first fiscal year after the sale of the last series of bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is eighttenths of one cent per $100 ($7.88 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2011-12.

3. The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is nine-tenths of one cent per $100 ($8.74 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2013-14.

The District's best estimate of the average tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue over all of the years the bonds will be outstanding is $5.64 per $100,000 of assessed valuation.

Voters should note that the estimated tax rates are based on the ASSESSED VALUE of taxable property on the County's official tax rolls, not on the property's market value. Property owners should consult their own property tax bills to determine their property's assessed value and any applicable tax exemptions.

Attention of all voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon the District's projections and estimates only, which are not binding upon the District. The actual tax rates and the years in which they will apply may vary from those presently estimated, due to variations from these estimates in the timing of bond sales, the amount of bonds sold and market interest rates at the time of each sale, and actual assessed valuations over the term of repayment of the bonds. The dates of sale and the amount of bonds sold at any given time will be determined by the District based on need for construction funds and other factors, including the legal limitations on bonds approved by a 55% vote. The actual interest rates at which the bonds will be sold will depend on the bond market at the time of each sale. Actual future assessed valuation will depend upon the amount and value of taxable property within the District as determined by the County Assessor in the annual assessment and the equalization process.

/s/ Patrick R. Gemma July 27, 2004, Superintendent, Sequoia Union High School District

This Proposition may be known and referred to as the "High Schools Improvement Bond of 2004" or as "Measure H".

BOND AUTHORIZATION

By approval of this proposition by at least 55% of the registered voters voting on the proposition, the Sequoia Union High School District shall be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $70,000,000 in aggregate principal amount to provide financing for the specific school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List attached hereto as Exhibit A, and in order to qualify to receive State matching grant funds, subject to all of the accountability safeguards specified below. Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this proposition shall be used only for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities, or the acquisition or lease of real property for school facilities, and not for any other purpose, including teacher and administrator salaries and other school operating expenses.

ACCOUNTABILITY SAFEGUARDS

The provisions in this section are specifically included in this proposition in order that the Sequoia Union High School District's voters and taxpayers may be assured that their money will be spent wisely to address specific facilities needs of the Sequoia Union High School District, all in compliance with the requirements of Article XIII A, Section 1(b)(3) of the State Constitution, and the Strict Accountability in Local School Construction Bonds Act of 2000 (codified at Education Code Sections 15264 and following).

Evaluation of Needs. The Board of Trustees hereby certifies that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction and information technology needs in developing the Bond Project List contained in Exhibit A.

Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee. The Board of Trustees shall establish an independent Citizens' Oversight Committee (pursuant to Education Code Section 15278 and following), to ensure bond proceeds are spent only for the school facilities projects listed in Exhibit A. The committee shall be established within 60 days of the date when the results of the election appear in the minutes of the Board of Trustees.

Annual Performance Audits. The Board of Trustees shall conduct an annual, independent performance audit to ensure that the bond proceeds have been expended only on the school facilities projects listed in Exhibit A.

Annual Financial Audits. The Board of Trustees shall conduct an annual, independent financial audit of the bond proceeds until all of those proceeds have been spent for the school facilities projects listed in Exhibit A.

Special Bond Proceeds Account; Annual Report to Board. Upon approval of this proposition and the sale of any bonds approved, the Board of Trustees shall take actions necessary to establish an account in which proceeds of the sale of bonds will be deposited. As long as any proceeds of the bonds remain unexpended, the Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services of the District shall cause a report to be filed with the Board no later than December 31 of each year, commencing December 31, 2005, stating (1) the amount of bond proceeds received and expended in that year, and (2) the status of any project funded or to be funded from bond proceeds. The report may relate to the calendar year, fiscal year, or other appropriate annual period as the Superintendent shall determine, and may be incorporated into the annual budget, audit, or other appropriate routine report to the Board.

BOND PROJECT LIST

The Bond Project List attached to this resolution as Exhibit A shall be considered a part of the ballot proposition, and shall be reproduced in any official document required to contain the full statement of the bond proposition.

The Bond Project List, which is an integral part of this proposition, lists the specific projects the Sequoia Union High School District proposes to finance with proceeds of the bonds. Listed construction projects, repairs, rehabilitation projects and upgrades will be completed as needed at a particular school site according to Board-established priorities. Each project is assumed to include its share of costs of the election and bond issuance, architectural, engineering, inspection and similar planning costs, construction management, and a customary contingency for unforeseen design and construction costs. The final cost of each project will be determined as plans are finalized, construction bids are awarded, and projects are completed. In addition, certain construction funds expected from non-bond sources, including State grant funds for eligible projects, have not yet been secured. Therefore the Board of Trustees cannot currently determine the amount of bond proceeds to be spent on each project, or guarantee that the bonds will provide sufficient funds to allow completion of all listed projects.

Some projects may be subject to further government approvals, including by State officials and boards and local environmental approval. Inclusion of a project on the bond project list is not a guarantee that the project will be completed.

FURTHER SPECIFICATIONS

Purposes. All of the purposes enumerated in this proposition shall be united and voted upon as one single proposition, pursuant to Education Code Section 15100, and proceeds of the bonds shall be spent only for such purposes, pursuant to Government Code Section 53410.

Other Terms of the Bonds. When sold, the bonds shall bear interest at an annual rate not exceeding the statutory maximum, and that interest will be made payable at the time or times permitted by law. The bonds may be issued and sold in several series, and no bond shall be made to mature more than 32 years from the date borne by that bond.

EXHIBIT A

SEQUOIA UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOND PROJECT LIST

CARLMONT HIGH SCHOOL 1400 Alameda De Las Pulgas, Belmont

INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS

o Acquire and install solar voltaic cells to generate solar energy

o Replace existing or acquire new computer and network equipment, including servers, ethernet cards, etherswitches and uninterruptable power supply

o Upgrade, replace or install utility lines as needed, including water lines, gas lines, sewer lines, storm drains, electrical lines and telephone lines

o Upgrade, replace or install building systems as needed, including interior plumbing, electrical wiring, telephone system, radio system, fire alarm system, public address system, intrusion alarm system, cable television wiring and video surveillance system

EXTERIOR & GROUNDS IMPROVEMENTS

o Acquire and install exterior safety lighting

o Resurface and paint building exteriors

o Construction to expand the existing parking lot

o Acquire and install bleachers at football field

o Landscape grounds and repair deteriorating roads

o Repair and upgrade exterior campus fencing

RENOVATION AND NEW CONSTRUCTION

o Construct new classrooms as needed to accommodate enrollment growth or class size reduction

o Renovate existing band and chorus classrooms, nearby restrooms and related storage facilities

o Construct a second gymnasium

o Construct a new performing arts center with approximately 500 seats and create related classrooms, including chorus, orchestra, band and drama classrooms

MENLO-ATHERTON HIGH SCHOOL

555 Middlefield Road, Atherton

INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS

o Acquire and install solar voltaic cells to generate solar energy

o Upgrade, replace or install utility lines as needed, including water lines, gas lines, sewer lines, storm drains, electrical lines and telephone lines

o Install new electricity substation

o Replace well piping

o Replace existing or acquire new computer and network equipment, including servers, ethernet cards, etherswitches and uninterruptable power supply

o Upgrade, replace or install building systems as needed, including interior plumbing, electrical wiring, telephone system, radio system, fire alarm system, public address system, intrusion alarm system, cable television wiring and video surveillance system

EXTERIOR & GROUNDS IMPROVEMENTS

o Acquire and install exterior safety lighting

o Resurface and paint building exteriors

o Acquire and install or construct retaining fence around trash disposal area

o Renovate and upgrade playing field

o Expand the existing parking lot

o Landscape grounds and upgrade roads

o Complete repairs to exterior campus fencing

RENOVATION AND NEW CONSTRUCTION

o Construct new classrooms as needed to accommodate enrollment growth or class size reduction

o Renovate student center

o Install shower rooms in gymnasium

o Complete construction of teacher resource center

o Construct a new performing arts center and renovate related classrooms, including chorus, orchestra, band and drama classrooms

REDWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

1968 Old County Road, Redwood City

INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS

o Acquire and install solar voltaic cells to generate solar energy

o Upgrade, replace or install utility lines as needed, including water lines, gas lines, electrical lines and sewer lines

o Upgrade, replace or install building systems as needed, including electrical wiring

EXTERIOR & GROUNDS IMPROVEMENTS

o Acquire and install exterior safety lighting

o Repair or replace retaining wall along creek

o Upgrade roads and landscape grounds

RENOVATION AND NEW CONSTRUCTION

o Construct new classrooms as needed to accommodate enrollment growth or class size reduction

o Renovate school office

o Renovate student center

o Renovate existing classrooms

SEQUOIA HIGH SCHOOL 1201 Brewster, Redwood City

INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS

o Acquire and install solar voltaic cells to generate solar energy

o Upgrade, replace or install utility lines as needed, including water lines, gas lines, sewer lines, storm drains, electrical lines and telephone lines

o Construct well for rainwater overflow

o Replace existing or acquire new computer and network equipment, including servers, ethernet cards, etherswitches and uninterruptable power supply

o Upgrade, replace or install building systems as needed, including interior plumbing, electrical wiring, telephone system, radio system, fire alarm system, public address system, intrusion alarm system, cable television wiring and video surveillance system

o Repair or replace heating systems

EXTERIOR & GROUNDS IMPROVEMENTS

o Acquire and install exterior safety lighting

o Repair or replace damaged exterior campus fencing

o Renovate and upgrade playing field

o Upgrade roads and landscape grounds

RENOVATION AND NEW CONSTRUCTION

o Construct new classrooms as needed to accommodate enrollment growth or class size reduction

o Construct new physics classroom and ceramics room

o Construct a teen health center

o Renovate existing auto shop and wood shop sites

o Renovate student tutoring center

o Renovate faculty lounge

o Renovate restrooms

o Complete construction of new science and technology building

WOODSIDE HIGH SCHOOL

199 Churchill Avenue, Woodside

INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS

o Acquire and install solar voltaic cells to generate solar energy

o Upgrade, replace or install utility lines as needed, including water lines, gas lines, sewer lines, storm drains, electrical lines and telephone lines

o Repair or replace heaters and heating systems

o Replace existing or acquire new computer and network equipment, including servers, ethernet cards, etherswitches and uninterruptable power supply

o Upgrade, replace or install building systems as needed, including interior plumbing, electrical wiring, telephone system, radio system, fire alarm system, public address system, intrusion alarm system and video surveillance system

EXTERIOR & GROUNDS IMPROVEMENTS

o Acquire and install exterior safety lighting

o Landscape grounds

o Complete perimeter road and other road upgrades

o Repair or replace damaged exterior campus fencing

RENOVATION AND NEW CONSTRUCTION

o Replace Classroom Wing B, including science classrooms

o Construct new classrooms as needed to accommodate enrollment growth or class size reduction

o Renovate existing music and band classrooms

o Renovate multi-use room and restrooms

o Complete construction of performing arts center

OTHER SCHOOL SITES

o Renovate existing school sites to provide space for, or acquire or construct new school sites for, existing charter schools in East Palo Alto and Redwood City

o Reimburse up to $200,000 of District funds spent on design of new charter school facility to be located in East Palo Alto

o Renovate existing school site, or acquire or construct a new school site, for the Sequoia District Adult School

ALL SCHOOL SITES at which Renovation, Major Repairs and/or New Construction to be Completed

o Remove hazardous materials, e.g., asbestos, lead, etc., where necessary

o Address unforeseen conditions revealed by construction/modernization (e.g., plumbing or gas line breaks, dryrot, seismic, structural, etc.)

o Other improvements required to comply with existing building codes, including the Field Act, and access requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act

o Furnishing and equipping of classrooms and facilities, including school-site maintenance equipment, including replacement of worn/broken/out of date furniture and equipment, including copy machines, classroom equipment and media equipment

o Necessary site preparation/restoration in connection with new construction, renovation or remodeling, or installation or removal of relocatable classrooms, including ingress and egress, removing, replacing, or installing irrigation, utility lines (such as gas lines, water lines, electrical lines, sewer lines, and communication lines), trees and landscaping, relocating fire access roads, and acquiring any necessary easements, licenses, or rights of way to the property

o Rental, acquisition or construction of temporary classrooms (including relocatables) as needed to house students displaced during construction

o Acquisition of any of the facilities on the Bond Project List through temporary lease or lease-purchase arrangements, or execute purchase option under a lease for any of these authorized facilities